Flying in Zero-G

Tammy Gafka of the Engineering Branch in the Aircraft Operations Division flies aboard a “zero-g” aircraft in support of NASA’s Reduced Gravity Program operated out of Johnson Space Center.  The aircraft flies multiple parabolas in succession to provide short periods of weightlessness or “zero-g” for the development and verification of space hardware, experiments, crew training and basic research.

 

Quality and Reliability

The women of the Kennedy Space Center, Safety & Mission Assurance (S&MA) Program Development and Operations Division provide the overall management and integration function for S&MA activities associated with the GSDO, Space Launch System, Shuttle transition and retirement, and Advanced Exploration Systems Projects.  S&MA activities begin at the program/project conceptual phase and continue through requirement and design development, implementation/ integration, testing, and operations.  The Program Development and Operations Division support activation/validation through transfer to operations as specified in the program/project requirements.  In some cases, the Division responsibilities will continue for selected operations’ activities through retirement.  Pictured from left to right: (standing)  Zabrina Wichers, Tiffaney Alexander, Judy Lindholm, Karen Brownrigg (sitting)  Jessica Williams, Lisa DeVries,  Mary (Beth) Satterlee , Pamela Bohn

Launch Services Program Rocket Men

Kennedy Space Center Vandenberg Air Force Base Resident Office personnel representing the Launch Services Program: (from left to right) Bob Rasmison, Randy Beaudoin, Kevin Monette, and Jeff Ehrsam.  The Launch Services Program (LSP) is responsible for launching NASA payloads into space using expendable rockets.  This photo is taken next to the Orbital Sciences Corporation Pegasus rocket, which will launch the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS) spacecraft on June 26, 2013.  Jeff and Bob work together in integration and engineering as the spacecraft’s liaison at the processing facility and pre-launch site locations. They are responsible for preparing the processing facilities, services and support equipment the spacecraft needs while at Vandenberg.  Randy is an electrical engineer who follows manufacturing, assembly and integration of electrical systems and components to insure compliance with technical specifications and standards.  Kevin is the Safety and Mission Assurance representative providing independent assessment to help determine residual risk associated with launch vehicle flight readiness.  Collectively, their team efforts support the American public and the Launch Service Program mission statement, which is to present leadership and expertise in providing on-time, on-orbit, and on-cost launch services.

 

.

Best Place to Work in Space, Too!

Astronaut Kevin Ford onboard the International Space Station – a habitable artificial satellite in low Earth orbit.  It serves as a microgravity and space environment research laboratory in which crew members conduct experiments in biology, physics, astronomy, meteorology, and other fields.

 

Florida Space Day 2013

Kennedy Space Center Director Robert Cabana was joined by employees from across KSC to participate in Florida Space Day 2013 recently.   While in Tallahassee, the Center Director met with several state legislators, including: Lieutenant Governor Jennifer Carroll, Florida Department of Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, and Attorney General Pam Bondi to inform them of the integral role KSC plays in NASA’s exciting future and Florida’s economic development. 

 

 

 

Supporting America's Small Businesses

Stennis Space Center management shows its support of small businesses at the recent Stennis Industry Day.  Pictured are:  Rob Harris, Procurement Officer, Rob Watts, Small Business Specialist NSSC, Michelle Stracener, Small Business Specialist SSC, Marina Benigno, Assistant to the Director, Jo Ann Larson, Manager, Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity, Jim Huk, Deputy Procurement Officer and Ken Human, Associate Director.

 

Shake, Rattle, and Roar

Rebecca Junell, an aerospace engineer at Stennis Space Center, is shown updating the data review script in the A Test Control Center  while listening to the J-2X pre-test headset conversation and waiting for the engine to fire. “It’s exciting now, but my hard work will start after the test!” says Rebecca. The data review presentation Rebecca will put together will help evaluate the facility’s work and to make improvements for future testing.

 

Asteroids – Here We Come!

The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft will travel to a near-Earth carbonaceous asteroid, study it in detail, and bring back a sample to Earth.  This will help NASA investigate planet formation and the origin of life, as well as aiding our understanding of asteroids that can impact Earth.  (Left to Right):  Jonathan Gal-Edd, Ground Systems Manager; Dante Lauretta, Principal Investigator; Dave Everett, Systems Engineer; and Jason Dworkin, Project Scientist.

Preparing for NASA's Next Era of Exploration

Stennis Space Center is overseeing the end of construction and the start of activation of the A3 test stand, designed to test rocket engines in a vacuum.  The stand will simulate the air pressure at the 100,000 foot level and will prepare spacecraft for a new era of exploration.  Pictured are: Ryan Roberts, Test Director for the A3 Test Stand, Dr. Rick Gilbrech, Stennis Center Director and Thom Rich, Design and Construction Lead.

Stennis Space Center Partners with Special Boat Team-22

NASA’s Stennis Space Center operates and uses ranges for the purpose of launching, flying, landing, and testing space and aeronautical vehicles and associated technologies. These range operations often involve substantial hazards that can pose significant risk to life, health, and property.  Pictured: Jerry Cook, SSC Deputy Director; Katie Carr, Range Safety Manager, and Special Boat Team 22 members on a Special Operations Craft Riverine (SOC-R).